Abstract: This paper presents a model conceptual framework that is aimed at promoting trust in the online retailing environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Despite rapid Internet growth, the development of online retailing in Saudi Arabia continues to progress very slowly compared to that of the developed and leading developing countries. To determine the reason behind the sluggish growth of online retailing in the KSA, a mixed methods study involving retailers and customers was conducted in four stages. The outcomes of the study point to distrust in the online retailing environment in Saudi Arabia as a key inhibitory factor for growth. As such, a five-part model is proposed to promote trust in the online shopping environment in the KSA.
Abstract: This paper contributes to the issue of eGovernment implementation in Saudi Arabia by discussing the current situation of ministry websites. It evaluates the rate of web development progress of vital government websites in Saudi Arabia using the eGovernment stage model. In 2010, Saudi Arabia ranked 58th in the world and 4th in the Gulf region in eGovernment readiness according to United Nations reports. In particular, Saudi Arabia has ranked 75th worldwide for its online service index and its components compared to the neighbouring Gulf country of Bahrain, which was ranked 8th for the same index. While this is still modest in relation to the Saudi government’s expectation concerning its vision for eGovernment implementation for 2010, and the results achieved by the neighbouring Gulf countries such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the eGovernment index, the Saudi government has endeavoured to meet the public needs concerning eGovernment and carry out the implementation of eGovernment properly. Governments may heed the importance of actively launching official government websites – the focus of this study – as the main portals for delivering their online services to all the different categories of eGovernment (including G2C, G2B, and G2G). However, certain Saudi ministries have not given due attention to this vital issue. This is evidenced by the fact that some of their websites are not fully developed or do not yet exist, which clearly impedes that particular ministry from appropriately delivering eServices.
Abstract: This paper presents the preliminary findings of a study researching the diffusion and the adoption of online retailing in Saudi Arabia. It reports new research that identifies and explores the key issues that positively and negatively influence retailers in Saudi Arabia regarding the adoption of electronic commerce. Retailers in Saudi Arabia have been reserved in their adoption of electronically delivered aspects of their business. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia has the largest and fastest growth of ICT marketplaces in the Arab region, ecommerce activities are not progressing at the same speed. Only a tiny number of Saudi commercial organizations, mostly medium and large companies from the manufacturing sector, are involved in e-commerce implementation. Based on qualitative data, collected by conducting interviews with a sample population of retail sector decision makers in Saudi Arabia, both positive and negative issues influencing retailer adoption of electronic retailing systems in Saudi Arabia are identified. A number of impediments which include cultural, business and technical issues were reported. Facilitating factors include access to educational programs and awareness building of e-commerce, government upport and assistance for ecommerce, trustworthy and secure online payment options, developing strong ICT infrastructure, and provision of sample e-commerce software to trial. While literature reveals that government promotion has had limited effects on the diffusion of e-commerce in most countries, this study significantly indicates government promotion and support as a key driver to online retailing in KSA.
Abstract: This paper is part of a study researching the diffusion of the adoption of online retailing in Saudi Arabia. It seeks exploring the issues that influence the decision of Saudi customers to buy from online retailers in Saudi Arabia. As this study involves exploratory research, qualitative approach has been adopted. Initial qualitative exploration was executed by conducting interviews with 16 Saudi citizens. A content analysis was used to address the key issues. The study comes up with two lists: inhibitors and enablers to purchase online from retailers in Saudi Arabia. The results of this study will be used in a future study using a quantities approach to test them in a large sample.
Abstract: This paper presents findings from a study evaluating e-learning systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). E-learning systems have reformed and restructured the delivery of course materials, related resources, and the interaction of students and teachers with this material. E-learning systems have been widely used in developed countries, and they have recently become more popular in many developing countries. To date, however, little attention has been paid to the issue of measuring the impact of e-learning on academic staff at higher-education institutions in the KSA. Responding to this gap in the literature, this study investigates the impact of e-learning systems in higher-education institutions in this context. A survey based on the Information System (IS) success/impact measurement framework was executed in a sample population of faculty members using e-learning in two top universities in the KSA. The findings of this study show academics’ positive attitudes towards e-learning systems in higher education. For instance, participants believed that e-learning systems help faculty members to improve their job performance and help educational organisations to provide new and better products and services to users. .
Abstract: This paper presents findings from a study of factors affecting the rate of diffusion and adoption of online retailing in Saudi Arabia. In general, Saudi retailers have not responded actively to the global growth of online retailing. Accordingly, this research was conducted to find the key factors involved in this phenomenon. A major finding presented here, is that both buyers and sellers emphasize the need for government involvement to support and promote development of online commerce. Particularly, it indicates the need for strategic government initiatives to provide regulation, legislation, education, and trusted infrastructure for secure payment and delivery. Saudi Arabia presents a unique cultural, technological and political context for the development of e-commerce. We highlight the particular motivators and potential benefits of Saudi government involvement in e-commerce development. A new model for formulating roles and strategic government initiatives to support the successful diffusion of online retailing in KSA is presented and discussed. This will be of interest to any following the development of e-commerce and the information economy in the Arab nations.
Abstract: This paper presents the preliminary findings of a study researching the diffusion and the adoption of online retailing in Saudi Arabia. It reports new research that identifies and explores the key issues that positively and negatively influence the decision of Saudi customers to buy from online retailers in Saudi Arabia. Although Saudi Arabia has the largest and fastest growth of ICT marketplaces in the Arab region, e-commerce activities are not progressing at the same speed. While the overall research project involves exploratory research using mixed methods, the focus of this paper is on a quantitative analysis of responses obtained from a survey of Saudi customers, with the design of the questionnaire instrument being based on the findings of a qualitative analysis reported in a previous paper. The main findings of the current analysis include a list of key factors that affect Saudi customers' purchase from Saudi online retailers, and quantitative indications of the relative strengths of the various relationships.
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Abstract: Retailers in Saudi Arabia have been reserved in their adoption of electronically delivered aspects of their business. This paper reports research that identifies and explores key issues to enhance the diffusion of online retailing in Saudi Arabia. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia has the largest and fastest growth of ICT marketplaces in the Arab region, e-commerce activities are not progressing at the same speed. Only very few Saudi companies, mostly medium and large companies from the manufacturing sector, are involved in e-commerce implementation. Based on qualitative data collected by conducting interviews with 16 retailers and 16 potential customers in Saudi Arabia, 7 key drivers to online retailing diffusion in Saudi Arabia are identified. These key drivers are government support, providing trustworthy and secure online payments options, provision of individual house mailboxes, providing high speed Internet connection at low cost, providing educational programs, the success of bricks-and-clicks model, and competitive prices.
Notes: Please contact the author in case you find it difficult finding the paper
Abstract: This paper presents some findings from a study researching the diffusion and adoption of online retailing in Saudi Arabia. Although the country has the largest and fastest growing ICT marketplace in the Arab region, e-commerce activities have not progressed at a similar speed. In general, Saudi retailers have not responded actively to the global growth of online retailing. Accordingly new research has been conducted to identify and explore key issues that positively and negatively influence Saudi retailers in deciding whether to adopt the online channel. While the overall research project uses mixed methods, the focus of this paper is on a quantitative analysis of responses obtained from a survey of retailers in Saudi Arabia, with the design of the questionnaire instrument being based on the findings of a qualitative analysis reported in a previous paper. The main findings of the current analysis include a list of key factors that affect retailers’ decision to adopt e-commerce, and quantitative indications of the relative strengths of the various relationships.
Abstract: This paper explores the issues that influence online retailing in Saudi Arabia. Retailers in Saudi Arabia have been reserved in their adoption of electronically delivered aspects of their business. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia has the largest and fastest growth of ICT marketplaces in the Arab region, e-commerce activities are not progressing at the same speed. Only very few Saudi companies, mostly medium and large companies from the manufacturing sector, are involved in e-commerce implementation. Based on qualitative data collected by conducting interviews with 16 retailers and 16 potential customers in Saudi Arabia, several factors influencing online retailing diffusion in Saudi Arabia are identified. However, government support comes the highest and most influencing factor for online retailing growth as identified by both parties; retailers and potential customers in Saudi Arabia.
